Frank Lloyd Wright (FLW) may be most known for Fallingwater or the Guggenheim Museum, but I personally prefer his smaller and more modest architectural endeavors. My favorite is the Pope-Leighey House in Alexandria, Virginia. My favorite ... indeed, as I have visited it on three different occasions! And I would go back again.

The residence has had two private owners: the Popes and the Leigheys. Hence, the name of the house as we know it today. The Popes commissioned the house and worked closely with FLW to design a simple yet truly spectacular residence.

Why do I like it so much? As you can see from the photos in this blog, the house is a built with combination of wood (non-weight bearing sections of the house) and brick (weight bearing sections). It is a clever way of construction. Wood is cheaper than brick - hence, FLW used it strategically through the house.

The outside gives a sense of privacy but as you walk around, you will come across large windows and a warm welcoming feeling. FLW employed a strategy of contrasts on the interior as well. Narrow entry way opens up to a living room, dining room, and kitchen - all of the space is open without walls. Yet, one gets a clear sense of what each section of the house is to be used for. For instance, the ceiling in the dining room is lowered almost forcing the inhabitant to sit down and enjoy a meal. The ceiling in the living room is higher - one can imagine the family spending time there or entertaining a party of friends.

What strikes me as particularly appealing is the emphasis on horizontal lines. On the outside, we see long panels of wood - our eyes slide across the surface getting an impression of length and open space. There is no basement and no upper floor in the house - the house is part of the landscape. It is just like another layer (line) above the ground. The interior is the same - the vertical divisions between bricks are blocked while the horizontal divisions are highlighted with the use of lighter color.

If you have a chance, make a trip to see the house and tour it with an experienced guide. They will provide much more detail about this FLW masterpiece. Guided tours of the Pope-Leighey House are offered Friday through Monday, and run every half-hour, from noon until 4pm.